Ribbon Cutting and Thank you!

After a year of construction we are finally done renovating and adding to our beautiful new school!   Construction meetings are still happening; not every week but as needed and we are all still talking to each other and having a good time!    Not all construction projects go so smoothly but we all feel very lucky to have had such a great team. 

We still have a list of items in each of our Punch lists: Construction and Finishes, Mechanical, Electrical and Landscape each list has a few items to address but they are all being worked on now.   We have one big item left to be decided on and that is the Maintenance Shed.  We are hoping to put this out to bid to local contractors in the next few weeks.

We are still on budget, and we will have final numbers in the next couple of months.

We would like to take a moment to say thank you to long list of people and organizations:

·      EMES School staff, teachers, administrators and maintenance staff, who all worked so hard through this process and continue to be understanding of the final details left. 

·      The school’s central office, for keeping us on budget and helping us through the entire project.  Special thanks to Lori Bibeau, Bill Kimball and Matt. 

·      Special thanks to Alicia Lyford, our amazing Project Manager and Assistant Principal!

·      Bill Ford our Clerk of the Works.   A lot of people ask: What does the Clerk do?  Bill first made himself familiar with the plans, the design, the specification, the budget, and the contract documents.  After that during constructions he made sure things were being built according to the plans and on time. Some of his jobs are construction record keeping, verification of documents, punch list and keeping the owner informed.

·      Wright and Morrissey Construction, Doug, Strummer, Jamie, Mike, Derik, the list is long but thank you ALL for your hard work.

·      Thanks to TruexCullins Architects and their team of engineers and experts.  The list is long but to mention a few, David Epstein, Dan Goltzman, Peter Burns, Bill Bissell, Andy Shapiro, Kohler and Lewis, Cynthia Silvey from Wagner Hodgson.

·      The Oversight Committee, for the many hours and for your guidance -   Albert Petrella, Rob Chickering, Alice Angney, Mike Duane and Cort Richardson.  A very special thanks to Marty Miller, who also attended Construction Meetings and provided his expertise through the entire project. 

·      The Facilities Committee, who helped this project get started.

·      Town of East Montpelier - Terri, Bruce and Don for your support and all the extra work.

·      All members, past and present, of the East Montpelier School Board, for your guidance and help and for keeping the project on time and on Budget.

Finally, thank you, East Montpelier Community, for your support.   We can all be very proud of the final result!

We will continue to work hard on maintaining the school like new with your support for years to come.

Please attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, October 2^nd at 5pm.

Flor Diaz Smith

Oversight + Facilities Committee

East Montpelier School Board

 

Ready for School to start!

Update Facilities +Oversight


We are ready for school!  The last items of punch list are being worked mostly paint and cleaning.  Karin is busy getting teachers the new cards for getting into the building.  Alica and Marion are trying to multitask for in service and also final details on moving.   Setting up the new spaces in such a short period of time is challenging but they are all working hard.

The pond liner went in today.  The fence is going up tomorrow and the pond will be ready in the first days of September.  

Teachers are working really hard to set their rooms.  Everybody is so happy in their new spaces!!

We can't wait to see the kids expressions as they walk into their new spaces.

Please save the date for our New School Celebration!  
October 3
4-8pm
East Montpelier Elementary School

No pictures you will have to come see!!  We can't wait to share the building with the kids and the entire community!

Amy from the Times Argus was today at School so look out for an article on your school soon!

UPDATE OVERSIGHT + FACILITIES


We are right on schedule!  

The 1965 wing rooms are 95% finish, they are waiting for some window sills but other than that they are done.  

Bill Ford and Dan are going to start the punch list for that space on August 6th.

The 1989 wing 3 rooms are completed with flooring and the we have 7 painters working in today.

Almost all of the Landscape is done!  If you drive by take a look it looks great.

A lot is happening at the same time but all work is flowing and staying on schedule.

The pond work has started and we are still waiting for the shed price and preschool fence.  These 3 items will be finished after the completion date.  

Commissioning is happening on 4th and 7th with John Penny. All subs are ready for this to happen and have coordinated the date. 

What is commissioning?

We are testing all the systems and components that were designed and spec  by our Architect and Engineers.  They make sure all of the systems have been installed correctly and tested so they are operating properly.  


SOME PHOTOS:

Update on Construction

Update Oversight and Facilities + Schedule



The Oversight Committee had a meeting today and we gave them an update on the Schedule and the Pond.

We reviewed the Schedule
We made it clear that the site subcontractor filing for Chapter 11 doesn't affect finishing the Site work and getting the pond done.
A new day for Commissioning of all systems is on the works, John Penny will be back when Control Tech and Brownell is ready.


Schedule this week:

Sheet rocking windows still going on.  Metal bending this morning for the rest of the flashing on windows.
Rough-in inspections for both the rest of 65 and 89 are done.
Moisture mitigation in the rest of the building is done we are finishing the corridors in the res of 1965 area.
We are putting flooring down in the classrooms that are ready in 1965.
They will be done sheet rocking this week.

The new door into the gym going in:

We are  currently on schedule!
The progress list for this week includes:

New American Elm's have been planted in the front and look beautiful.
They are working on sandblasting
Strong push all past week for doing all the roughing in.
They continue to work in the 65 addition suffits and tapping is going on.
Electrical Inspector was here to look at all the rough in.
The pond is starting on Monday and Wright and Morrisey is doing it with his own staff.
We meausure for a couple of new shades in the conference room and the reception window area.

Ady Shapiro was here and did a door blower test and was happy with all the work.

Commissioning is behind a little bit and we were not completely ready for John Penny last week.

bushes in

Trees ready to be planted

Update Oversight + Facilities



We had an Oversight Committee Meeting today July 2, 2014; Marty Miller, Alice Angney, Albert Petrella, Alicia Lyford were present.

Here are some high ights:


Don Marsh, Bill Ford, Strummer and Flor walked the pond site and also staked the proposed Garage site in the upper parking lot.  We will need a zoning permit for the garage, the hearing will be on August 5th.  

Alice suggested we might want to add a little stretch of side walk to link the side walk by the temporary parking lot




The temporary wall  in the music room is down and the carpet is in good shape not much fixing then.

Masonary filling the door openings is starting this week too.  The gym door has been taken down and the new door with sidelights is going in now.

Roof  opening in the learning center for the new skylight will be in this week too.

Landscape is going in little by little..  shrubs will come in at least some of them this week.

Andy is doing his walk through tomorrow to make sure air barrier is all 

WELL OVERDUE UPDATE

Phase IV started on June 21

WM has been picking up some time and it is moving along really good.  Demo will be done 100%
Framing is going in and windows will be going in.
Andy Shapiro will be doing a door blower test tomorrow he has been happy with all the air barrier walk through on Phase IV.
Electrical and Plumbing rough ins are in and we will having the inspection for electrical this week.

We have decided to proceed with the bead blasting and moisture mitigation and leveling in the '89 wing.

The only set back has been finding some mold in the walls that is being abated and cleaned and dispose properly.  They are working together so it is not holding our schedule back.

The painters are not done in the Phase III with punch list and finishing all the touch up work need it.

Short Term Parking Lot Heaving
We have received a report from Don Marsh May 30th 2014.  The catch basin needs to be lowered to have positive drainage.   He will like to have all the grades around and get elevation numbers before a final decision is made.

The Fire Water Pond is going in after the appeal period is over.  We have a permit to build it and a fence that is 8'high is included and we will be really careful about not cutting trees in the 50' set back.

WM will replace one door and one partition at no cost to us, it was damage while it was stored.

The Preschool fence is being designed and the Garage Shed for the Tractor is on the works.

Pictures coming!

We did it!  We are moved it in and the spaces are not totally done but we are making the best of it.  The teachers set up their classrooms and everybody is excited.

We had a great Talent Show last night!!

We will have an outline of the Schedule and Future punch list by next week.

Andy Shapiro came by yesterday to do his inspection and keep us up to date in Air Barrier.

We will be having a mechanical commission meeting soon.

We are ordering our pre-school furniture and we have a lot of little preschoolers next year!!  3 sessions of 10 hrs!  The playground fence will go up this summer.

Countdown to the 23rd temporary move is on!!
On Friday we will be moving all day and our new space we will be almost done. We will occupy the space for 3 weeks to allow them to get a head start on Phase IV.

The kitchen will be moved but won't be on full operation until the start of next school year.

Egress will be checked tomorrow with fire alarm, Mechanical will be running, fire extinguishers will be up.

We won't be using the temporary parking lot for now to let the contractor keep using it and keep the project going.

Paint is almost all done! 

The toilet partitions are in.

Window sill are in!

The ceilings won't be in until the end so we can keep working the cables into Phase IV.

The preschool class is done and will be used temporary for 3 weeks by Mr. Willard's class.

Here are a few pictures more to come!

Thank you Wright and Morrisey!!
Thank you TruexCullins!!
Thank you Bill Ford!!

hall way

 staff mail room

1. Site works is still working on the side walks and exterior paths.
2. Case work is going in the new addition.
3. Painting is still going on all around the Phase III area it is looking great.
4. Marmoleum floors are going in the circles look beautiful.
5. We are on schedule for substantial completion.
6. Andy Shapiro has walked the construction and his notes have been reviewed we need to add one insulated panel above one door.
7. We will try do a preliminary punch list for phase III on May 21st
8. The New gym door will be installed in the summer and will be to the side of the door for this preliminary move.
9. The time capsule body is in the front will be in before the School year starts!
10. We are working on furniture layout for the Preschool room, library, art, and reception area.
11. Arlyn, Mrs. Christy, Dave and Mrs. Shedd are quickly packing for their temporary move.  They will be in temporary spaces for 3 weeks to allow the construction to move forward a little earlier.

HALLWAY

BRICK AND NEW WINDOWS 

                                                                  IN THE LIBRARY

WORKING ON SIDE WALKS

Soon we will be looking at:

THANKYOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING DURING CONSTRUCTION!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL ALICIA OR FLOR.

Everything is going at the same time to get phase III done by May 23!!!

1. Side walk near the parking lot is getting done this week.
2. Bathrooms near gym are getting tile today!
3. All the marmoleum floors are going in.
4. Final paint colors are in and the new administration area is all painted.
5. Tile in the new Health bathroom and painting is happening.
6. Cafeteria cloud ceiling is done.
7. So many things happening and it is looking great!!

sidewalk by the parking lot

administration

library

Update

1. Kitchen hood is in and the tile is in the kitchen!  Beautiful new quarry tile is in and ready to get grout.
2. They are installing marmoleum in the server room and will start the cafeteria room this week.  We are going to heat a little the 1965 wing to make sure we keep the area at 55 F to satisfy our flooring warranty.
3. Library Addition is framed and insulated.
4. They continue to paint and work on the ceilings.
5. Side walks are starting to go in and the south egress path is on the beginning stages.
6. Time is of essence and the clock is running for our move on May 23!!

We had a great Oversight Committee Meeting today and had a walk through the construction.

We continue to work on the Pond issue and make sure we keep updating our Capital plan as we get owners manuals from the Contractor.

Thank you for all your time for the Committee!

Rob Chickering, Albert Petrella, Alice Angeny, Mike Duane, Alicia Lyford and Bill Ford

If you have any questions don't hesitate to call or email,

Alica alyford@u32.org

Flor diazsmith.flor@gmail.com

thank you for your support!

Respectfully

Flor

Update April 23,2014

They are full guns out in the addition! (Contractor language!)

First coat of paint in the new offices, library and cafeteria.

They are working on the library addition floors now and the entry way recess matt slabs.

The Stage Curtain was hanged yesterday.

We did some testing on the temporary parking area today, were we have some heaving from frost.

We continue to work on the final update for the Fire Water Pond.

The new kitchen equipment is on site.

The new marmoleum flooring will start to be installed this week.

The Structural engineer came to review the structure in Phase III and he was happy with everything.

The Beam bearing was reviewed and he will send us a site visit report.

New cafeteria

glass windows from hallway tto cafeteria

New Skylight!

look who is supervising the job after school!

 cafeteria with the new green and mayan gold on the walls!

looking at the time capsule, it will be on the library side wall as you enter the building.

sketches on site to install the metal box for the time capsule

Thank you Wright and Morrisey and Truex Cullins for all your hard work!!

Thank you Bill Ford too!

Thank you to you East Montpelier for your support and your patience!!

UPDATE

Wright and Morrissey has accepted the early substantial completion on Phase III on May 23, 2024!!
EMES Staff affected by this move will vacate the six classrooms on the West end of the 1965 addition. Asbestos abatement will start of May 27, 2014 for no more that 10 days.

On the site they are done installing new windows on the Phase III section.  They continue to finalize the roofing in the 1965 part of the School and they are busy finalizing the library framing and roof structure.
The New Cafeteria is all framed and closed in.  Plumbing inspection is done and now they are finalizing electrical, blocking and in some areas they are putting up the Sheet Rock!!  It is moving along fast and on schedule!!

Getting in an out of the drop off circle and parking is still hard so we appreciate your patience and remember it is temporary.   Most kids have taken a tour of the building and are enjoying seeing the progress.

The Oversight Committee is meeting twice a month every other Wednesday at 8:30 am and the main goal of the Committee is to make sure more people can be informed of the progress and can share with their neighbors and friends.  The Committee is also working on the Capital Plan with Todd's input.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to post them in this blog, email diazsmith.flor@gmail.com or Alyford@U32.org or call the School.

Update

Construction and renovation continues in the 1965 portion of the building.  We have 3 months left for this phase to be finished!! and then we will start Phase 4.

-Structural Steel is in.
-Block infill and sheet rock infills are being worked out in the      most creative way we can. 
-Brunel Roofing has started roofing the kitchen and new cafeteria.
-All demo in kitchen is done and new plumbing and trenches in the exiting slab have been taken care of. Kitchen infill in slab and new slab will be pour tomorrow.
-Andy Shapiro is on site today checking air Leakage.  
-Sprinkler for this area has been rough in to.

The good news is the paint issue in the gym has been resolved!  The gym had a lot of work done over vacation and it is re-painted now.  Here are some pictures of them striping the paint and prepping for the new paint.

PLEASE EMAIL US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS

diazsmith.flor@gmail.com

See you at Pre-Town Meeting at U32 tomorrow!

9:30 am

Facilities Report

The EMES Renovation and Expansion project recently entered Phase III!  It is hard to believe that a year ago we were thanking you for passing the bond and hoping to go out to Bid.  Final plans were submitted by TruexCullins last spring, and Wright and Morrissey was awarded the bid in June, 2013. 

At this point in the project we are on budget and on schedule.  We owe a huge thank-you to Wright and Morrissey, TruexCullins Architects, our Clerk of the Works, and support from the EMES and WCSU Staff and Administration.

A recap of Phases I and II (June 24^th, 2013 - December 22, 2013):

·      Preliminary site work to improve drainage around the entire building and existing parking lot; prep work on the temporary parking spaces, and adding an additional parent drop-off loop and bus loop in the front of the building.

·      Renovations to the existing Gym, which included new bleachers, a new floor, asbestos removal, new bench areas, acoustic panels, mechanical, lighting, and a PE storage area. 

·      The majority of Phase II was devoted to the South addition.  This addition included two new classrooms, a new Music and Art room, Bathrooms, Tutoring Space, and a Language Room. 

Plans for Phase III (December 2013-June 23,2014):

·      The existing music room down to the K/1 exit, near the short term parking, relocated to the new wing over the December break.  Construction in the new library, the pre-k classroom, and the “admin suite,” which includes guidance, health, occupational therapy, a conference room, staff room, and the principals’ office, will take place over the winter and spring of 2014. 

·      The kitchen and new cafeteria will be built in the latter part of Phase III.  This work will also include the asbestos abatement in the kitchen, which will happen during the February school Break.  (NOTE:  Town Meeting will be at U32 this year.)

Plans for Phase IV (June 2014 – August 2014):

·      The contractors will complete the site work that began in Phases II and III, as well as all other work in the existing building.  The renovation of the last section of the 1965 wing, as well as the 1989 wing will happen during these last few months.   This will include heating, mechanical, new windows, insulation, lighting fixtures, new built-ins and more.   The existing library will become two primary classrooms, and the existing bathrooms will be renovated.  This work will be completed by August 2014.

There are two life-safety requirements that we will need to comply with: a Fire Pond and a South exit egress path that were not part of our original budget.  We will continue to work on the details of these requirements, ensuring the Board has all the information before final decisions are made.

We want to thank you for your continued support.  This project would never have been possible without the East Montpelier Community!  Thank you for caring about our school and advancing the next generation!

Respectfully,

Alicia Lyford and Flor Diaz Smith

Construction is moving quickly on Phase III

The kitchen is now close but do not worry breakfast and lunch will be served at school!!  Please visit the school webpage for the lunch menu in March.

Activities at School this week:

Kitchen asbestos abetment is happening now during break.
All demo is done in the east section of the 1965 area of the school.  From the temporary parking look to the gym area.
Trenches for plumbing are now closed.
Interior framming is going in now.
No surprises in storm and sewer lines.
Roof might be going on by the end of the week.
Stripping paint in the gym to re-paint.